Marking device



May 9, 1961 s. M. WEISSMAN MARKING DEVICE Filed June 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

May 9, 1961 s. M. WEISSMAN MARKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

E EEE H United States Patent M MARKING DEVICE Samuel M. Weissman, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Bankers & Merchants, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illmors Filed June 16, 1959, Ser. No. 820,676

This invention relates to a marking device and, more particularly, to a device which is self-inking and which employs a printing unit having a plurality of relatively movable marking bands.

Self-inking devices have become standard equipment in many businesses. These devices usually employ a supporting base and frame and a printing unit which is normally retracted but which, by pressure applied to an operating handle, may be moved to an extended or printing position to place the type thereon in contact with the surface to be marked. Usually at least part of the type on the printing unit may be changed. This may be done by mounting this type on relatively movable bands, thus making available a number of type combinations. An inking pad may be used to contact the type when the printing unit is retracted so that on each return of the unit from its printing position it is re-inked.

There have been many different designs for these Selfinking markers. Frequently, these devices have employed a number of separate parts and quite often the designs have involved complex movements of the printing units or inking pads. Self-inking devices, because of the additional parts required, have always been somewhat larger and somewhat more expensive than those marking devices or stamps which were not self-inking.

In addition, the self-inking devices are more difficult to clean and service. These factors usually have been offset by the great convenience and speed of operation which self-inking devices provide. Unfortunately, it has not heretofore been possible to use a single self-inking device for a variety of purposes, for the utility of the devices has been limited by the print on the movable marking band unit thereon. One device could, for example, be used for marking dates, another for prices, etc., but no single device could be used for all purposes. Also, in devices of previous design it is very difiicult or impossible to replace worn or damaged marking bands, although these bands usually require replacement long before the other parts of the device.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a marking device in which the printing element may be readily removed and replaced.

It is a further object, of this invention to provide a marking device employing a plurality of endless marking bands in a cartridge type unit which may be easily and quickly removed for cleaning or for replacement.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, simplified marking device having an easily removable and replaceable endless marking band unit.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a self-inking marking device which has greater strength, rigidity, and wear resistance, and which employs a removable printing unit and a removable inking pad facilitating the cleaning, servicing, and replacing of these parts.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an easily operated, inexpensive, completely reliable selfinking marking device employing a fewer number of parts Patented May 9, 1961 and constructed to permit the easy removal and replacement of bo'th the printing unit and the inking means.

Other objects may be seen and a further understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The printing device constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention comprises a hollow frame, an operating member reciprocably mounted on the flame for manual movement flom a retracted to an extended position, a printing member, means for connecting the printing member to the operating member, and means mounted on the frame for inking the printing member.

One of the principal features of this invention is the novel means for removably attaching the printing member to the operating member. The printing member comprises t-wo substantially parallel side pieces, each having a double flanged end portion, a backing element interconnecting the side pieces, and a plurality of endless marking bands mounted between the side pieces and selective ly rotatable relative to each other over the backing element. The reciprocably movable operating element comprises a transverse supporting element and two substantially parallel side elements, the spacing between the side elements being substantially equal to the spacing between the side pieces of the printing member. Each of the side elements has a hooking formation at one end and a resiliently movable latching element adjacent the opposite end. The hooking formations on the side elements of the operating member are adapted to accommodate the respective double flanged ends of the side pieces on the printing member, and the resilient latching elements are adapted to engage the respective printing member side pieces adjacent the opposite ends thereof to firmly and resiliently hold the printing member in its proper operative position.

With reference to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a marking device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the device illus I trated in Fig. 1, looking from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and with the printing member illustrated in dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view of the device showing the operating member moved to its extended or printing position and illustrating the printing member in dotted lines;

Fig. 6 is a top-plan view of the device;

Fig. 7 is a bottom-plan view of the device;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of portions of the operating member and the printing member, illustrating the novel means for interconnecting these members; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the device taken substantially along line 99 of Fig. l with all portions of the printing member except the side pieces removed.

With further reference to the drawings, the marking device 10 includes a hollow rectangular frame 12 having a base portion 14 and two parallel side portions 16 and 18 which are integral with base portion 14 and extend upwardly therefrom. The ends of the side portions 16 and 18 are firmly afiixed to an upper cross plate 20. Extending perpendicularly upward from the cross plate 20 is a hollow guide post 22. Two outwardly projecting elongate, parallel channels 24 and 26, formed centrally in the side portions 16 and 18, respectively, of the frame, ex-

tend downwardly from approximately the mid-point of their respective side portions to the juncture of the side portions with the base portion 14,

As may best be seen in Figs. 2 and 7, the base portion 14 has a central opening extending thereacross, rendering the base portion essentially discontinuous and forming two parts, 14a and 1411. These parts provide a firm flat and well distributed support for the marking device over a substantial surface area. A pair of resilient pads 15a and 15b attached to the under side of the base parts 14a and 1417, respectively, tend to prevent slipping between the marking device and the paper or other article being stamped. Also, these resilient pads, prevent possible marring of'desks or table tops upon which the marker may rest.

An operating member 30 is mounted within the hollow frame 12 and is reciprocably movabletherein between a retracted position, best illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, and an extended or printing position, illustrated in Fig. 5. This member is'substantially U-shaped and comprises a transverse supporting element or plate 32 and two parallel side elements 34 and 36 which are integral with and depend from the supporting element 32 in planes substantially normal thereto. The side elements are substantially C-shaped, both being open toward the same side of the marking device.

As best seen in Fig. 8, the side element 34 includes two vertically spaced end pieces 38 and 40 and an elongate central piece 42 interconnecting these end pieces along one side thereof. An upper end piece 38 is attached to the supporting element 32 and the lower end piece 40 is, in effect, a hook formation having two diverging slots or recesses 40:! and 40b therein with a cambered protuberance 400 formed therebetween.

Attached to the upper end piece 38 and extending downwardly into the space intermediate the end pieces in spaced relationship with respect to central piece 42 is a resilient latching element 44. Latching element 44 is preferably a leaf spring with its upper end attached by means such as rivets to the exterior surface of the end piece 38. The free end of the latching element is rounded with the edges, 44a and 44b, bent outwardly.

The side element 36 is identically constructed having two end pieces 38' and 40, interconnected along one side by an elongate central piece 42'. The end piece 38' is connected to the supporting element 32, and the end piece 40 has two diverging slots 40a and 40b on either side of a cambered protuberance 400' which correspond exactly to the slots and protuberance on the end piece 40 of the side element 34. The latching element 44' is identical with the latching element 44 including the outwardly bent edges 44a and 44b; and is similarly positioned. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 9, the latching elements 44 and 44' extend resiliently inward toward each other.

A lug '46 is connected to the lower end piece 40 and extends outwardly therefrom into the channel 24. Similarly a lug 46 extends outwardly from the lower end piece 40' into the channel 26. As may be best seen in Fig. 3, the lugs 46 and 46' cooperate with the channels 24 and 26, respectively, to guide the vertical movement of the operating member 30 along a linear path.

A shaft 50 extends upwardly from the transverse supportingelement 32 of the operating member through hollow guide post 22. When the operating member 30 is in itsrretracted position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 this shaft extends substantially above the upper extremity of the guide post 22. Attached to the end of the shaft 50 and extending in telescope fashion over guide post 22 is a hollow operating handle 52 having a depending skirt portion. A coil spring 54 disposed above the shaft 50, acts between a shoulder-like restriction 56 within the hollow guide post 22 and the interior top portion of the hollow handle 52. This spring urges the handle 52 and the shaft 50 upwardly and thus tends to maintain the operating member 30 connected to the shaft 50 in its retracted position.

. the operating member.

The printing member 60 illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 3 includes two side pieces 62 and 64, a backing member 66 interconnecting the lower ends of the side pieces, and a plurality of endless marking bands 68 mounted between the side pieces and selectively rotatable relative to each other over backing element 66. The construction and operation of the relatively movable marking bands is well known in the art. Each band has a sequence of type formed on its outer surface and the bands extended over their individually rotatable wheels 67 which are mounted about a common axis such as pin 69 in the illustrated embodiment. At the outer or lower end of the printing unit the marking'bands extend over a backing element 66, the width of which is approximately equal to the height of the type formed on the surfaces of the marking bands. Thus the type may be moved in position over the backing element 66 so that a solid support is provided therefor and the adjoining type characters do not interfere during the marking operation.

The side pieces 62 and 64 of the printing member-are constructed to cooperate with the slotted end pieces 40 and 40 and the resilient latching elements 44 and 44 on the sides of the operating member 39. For this purpose, the edges of the side pieces 62 and 64 may be turned outwardly to form a channel or double flanged structure, and adjacent the juncture of the sides 62 and 64 with the backing element 66, the end portions of these side edges are flared and diverge outwardly. As may be best seen in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, when the printing member 60 is attached the diverging out-turned edges of side piece '62 thereof will be accommodated within the slots 46a and 40b in the lower end piece on side 34 of the operating member, and the side piece 64 will be similarly accommodated within the slots 40a and 40b on the opposite side 36 of the operating member. Also, the

resilient latching element 44 will be disposed within the channel between the out-turned edges of side piece 62, and resilient latching element 44 will be disposed in the channel formed by the out-turned edges of side piece 64, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 9. 'In this engaged position, the upper end piece 38 on'the one side of the operating member 30 will substantially abut the upper end of the side piece 62 of the printing member, and the upper end piece 38' on the opposite side of the operating member will abut the upper end of the side piece 64 of the printing member.

It will be apparent that reciprocal .movement of the operating member 30 will result in reciprocal movement of the printing member 60, and the vertical pressure exerted on the handle 52 will be transmitted through shaft 50 to the operating member and through the end pieces 38 and 38 to the printing member.

The printing member may be easily removed from the operating member 30 by forcing the upper end of the printing member laterally away from the central connecting pieces 42 and 42' of sides 34 and 36, respectively, on The rounded free ends of the resilient latching elements 44 and 44' will be forced laterally outward as the out-turned edges of the side pieces 62 and 64, respectively, are forced thereagainst. After the upper end of printing member 60 has been thus forced out of engagement with latching elements 44 and 44', this member may be easily lifted from slotted end pieces 40 and 40.

To replace the print-ing member, the diverging outturned edges on the side pieces 62 and 64 of the printing member adjacent the forward or lower end thereof are placed in the accommodating slots 40a and 40b and 49a and 40b on the respective sides of the operating mem- '44, respectively. The latching elements are thus carnmed outwardly and resiliently snap into place in the respective channels between the upturned edges of the side pieces of the printing member to lock the printing member in position.

The inking means 70 comprises two parallel arms 72 and 74, a shelf 76, an ink pad receptacle 80 thereon and an ink pad 82. Arms 72 and 74 are pivotally mounted on a pin 84 extending between two protruding portions 86 and 88 on the side of frame 12. As may be seen the side elements 34 and 36 of the operating member open toward the opposite side of the frame. In this Way the pivot pin 84 will not interfere with the removal and replacement of the printing member 60. The spacing between the arms 72 and 74 is approximately equal to the spacing between the side elements 34 and 36 of the Operating member, and these arms are pivotally movable about the pin 84 into position under the operating member 30. A spring 90, coiled about pin 84, urges the arms 72 and 74 in a counterclockwise direction, in Figs. 4 and 5, into engagement with end pieces 40 and 40' on 'side elements 34 and 36, respectively, of the operating member. Two parallel slots or grooves 92 and 94 are formed in the arms 72 and 74 adjacent the juncture thereof with the shelf 76. An indenture 96, best seen in Fig. 3 is provided centrally in the shelf 76.

The ink pad receptacle 80 has a pair of lateral railiike extensions 98 and 100 and a central protuberance 102 on the under side thereof. This receptacle is adapted to rest upon shelf 76 with the rail-like extensions 98 and 100 disposed within the slots 92 and 94, respectively, in the arms 72 and 74 and with protuberance 102 extending into indenture 96 in the shelf. -In order to remove the ink pad receptacle 80 from the shelf 76, lateral pressure (to the right in Fig. 4) must be applied to resiliently move the bottom of the receptacle 80 upwardly permitting the protuberance 102 to move out of the indenture 96 while the extensions 98 and 100 slide in the slots 92 and 94. The ink pad may be removed from the receptacle after the receptacle has been removed from the shelf, or the entire receptacle and pad may be replaced.

When the printing member 60 is in position on the operating member 30 and the operating member is in its retracted position, as-illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the ink pad 82 will be in engagement with the portions of the marking bands which extend across the backing element 66, and the print characters will be thus inked. When the operating member 30 is moved downward by pressure on the handle 52, the end pieces 40 and 40 on the operating member engage the arms 72 and 74 of the inking means and cause the inking means to pivot downwardly about the pin 84 against the resistance of the spring 90. When the operating member is fully depressed, i.c., in its printing position, the inking member will be cammed to one side of this member as illustrated in Fig. 5. It will also be noted that when the Operating member 30 is fully depressed, the end of the attached printing member extends downwardly into the opening in base portion 14 between parts 14a and 14b to engage the surface to be marked. Thus the operating or marking stroke must be of sufficient length to insure that the end of the printing member will extend beyond the limits of the frame 12.

It may be seen that a marking device constructed in accordance with this invention is extremely useful and versatile permitting the printing member 60 to be removed for replacement or cleaning and permitting the ink pad to be removed for replacement or re-inking. Inasmuch as a number of different printing members may be interchanged, this invention eliminates the necessity of purchasing and maintaining a number of selfinking devices. The device is very strong and rugged, employing a minimum number of parts, and it may be more easily constructed and maintained than devices of previous design.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that many modifications and changes in various details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing device comprising a frame, an operating member reciprocally mounted on said frame and manually movable from a retracted position to an extended position, means resiliently urging said operating member toward its retracted position, a printing member and means on said frame for inking said printing member, said printing member comprising two substantially parallel side pieces, each having a double-flanged end portion, a backing element interconnecting said side pieces, and a plurality of endless marking bands, mounted between said side pieces and selectively rotatable with respect to each other over said backing element, said operating member comprising a transverse supporting element and two substantially parallel side elements, the spacing between which is substantially equal to the spacing between the side pieces of said printing member, each of said side elements including a first end piece connected to said supporting element, a second end piece spaced from said first end piece and having two slots therein for accommodating the double-flanged end portion of one of said side pieces on said printing member, an elongate central piece interconnecting said end pieces along one side thereof, and a resilient element connected to one of said end pieces and extending into the space intermediate said end pieces, said resilient element being adapted to latchingly engage a second portion of one of said side pieces on said printing member when the end portion thereof is disposed within said slots.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the slots in said second end pieces and the flanges on said side pieces diverge to facilitate the removal and replacement of said printing member. I

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said inking means comprises two substantially parallel grooved arms pivotally connected to one side of said frame and having portions thereof engageable with the side elements on said operating member, a supporting shelf interconnecting said arms and having an indenture therein, spring means urging said arms into engagement with said side elements, and an ink pad receptacle having a base with a protuberance thereon for engaging in the indenture in said shelf, said receptacle having a pair of lateral extensions adapted to fit within the grooves in said arms, whereby said ink pad receptacle may be held in position on said shelf and may be removed for replacement of the ink pad.

4. A printing device comprising a frame, an operating member reciprocally mounted on said frame and manually movable from a retracted position to an extended position, means resiliently urging said operating member toward its retracted position, a printing member and means on said frame for inking said printing member, said printing member comprising tWo substantially parallel side pieces, a backing element interconnecting said side pieces, and a plurality of endless marking bands mounted between said side pieces and selectively rotatable with respect to each other over said backing element, said operating member comprising a transverse supporting element and two substantially parallel side elements, each of said side elements having a recessed portion adjacent one end thereof adapted to accommodate a portion of said printing member and a resilient latching element spaced from said recessed portion and adapted to latchingly engage a second portion of said printing member, whereby said printing member may be held firmly in place on said operating member.

5. A printing device comprising a frame, an operating member reciprocally mounted on said frame and manuallymovable from a retracted position to an extended position, means resiliently urging said operating member toward its retracted position; a printing member and means on said frame for inking said printing member;

said 'printing member comprising two substantial-1y parallel side pieces, a backing element adjacent one end thereof interconnecting said side pieces, a plurality of endless marking bands mounted between said side pieces and 'member reciprocally mounted on said frame and manually movable from a retracted position to an extended position, means resiliently urging said operating member toward its retracted position, a printing member and means on said frame for inking said printing member, said printing member comprising two substantially parallel side pieces, each having a double-flanged end portion, a backing element interconnecting said side pieces, and a plurality of endless marking bands mounted between said side pieces and selectively rotatable wtih respect to each other over said backing element, said operating member comprising a transverse supporting element and two substantially parallel side elements, one end of each side element being connected to said supporting element and the opposite end of each side element having a recessed portion for accommodating the double-flanged end por tion of one of said printing member side pieces, and means on at least one of said side elements adjacent the juncture 8 thereof with said supporting element for latchingly engaging one of the side pieces of saidprinting member when the end portion thereof is disposedwithin the recessed portion of said operating member side elements.

7. A printing device comprising a .frame, an operating memberreciprocally mounted on said frame and manually movable from a retracted position to an extended position, means resiliently urging said operating member toward its retracted position a printing member, and means on said frame for inking said printing member; said printing member comprising two substantially parallel side pieces, each side piece having a pair of outwardly protruding formations adjacent one end thereof, a backing element interconnecting said side pieces adjacent said one end, and a plurality of endless marking bands mounted between said side pieces and selectively rotatable with respect to each other over said backing element; said operating member comprising a transverse supporting element and two substantially parallel side elements, each of said side elements having a pair of slots therein adjacent one end thereof for accommodating one of the pairs of protruding formations on said printing member, and a resilient element adjacent the opposite end thereof and extending into the space intermediate said side elements, said resilient element being adapted to latchingly engage said printing member side piece when the protruding formations thereon are disposed within said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,083,336 Parker Jan. 6, 1914 1,177,740 Tully Apr. 4, 1916 1,241,475 Folger et al Sept. 25, 1917 1,613,463 Krausse Jan. 4, 1927 2,088,009 Melind July 27, 1937 2,123,952 Melind July 19, 1938 2,731,915 Gravey Jan. 24, 1957 2,832,284 Faokas Apr. 29', 1958 

